Livingstone Letters 1843-1872. 1st standard edition. 1985

LIVINGSTONE LETTERS 1843 to 1872. David Livingstone Correspondence in the Brenthurst Library, Johannesburg. Maurice Boucher- Editor. Brenthurst Second Series 1.

A legendary figure in the history of African exploration and missionary endeavour, David Livingstone has captured the imagination of many writers. Early literature on his life and achievements was generally excessively eulogistic and even now his name is recalled in many parts of Africa with affection, where those of other empire-builders are largely associated with colonial oppression. For some, the picture of Livingstone the imperialist has been eclipsed by the vision of Livingstone the 'friend of African peoples'.

This, however, is a simplistic view of a complex character. Today, in the aftermath of the imperialist age, we are better able to assess the part Livingstone played in the evolution of modern Africa through our deeper understanding of the man and his times.

Moreover, unlike so many of his contemporaries, we can give full credit for his outstanding qualities without attempting to gloss over his obvious human failings.

Livingstone himself helps us in no small measure to do this. An indefatigable letter-writer and diarist, he has left us a vast amount of material to work on. This volume concentrates upon the Livingstone letters in The Brenthurst Library, covering a period from his first years as a missionary in Africa in the early 1840's to the drama of his last journeys three decades later. The material represents only a fraction of Livingstone's writings, and other sources, both in The Brenthurst Library and outside it, have been explored to round out the picture.

The text is enhanced by many contemporary illustrations, including several hitherto unpublished works.

Half Title, Frontispiece, Title, Contents and List of Illustrations, Appendices, etc., Select Bibliography and Index. 255 pages.

ISBN 0 909079 26 9